EARTH DAY: PLANET VS PLASTIC
April 24 2024 – Delikate Rayne
Earth Day is a day to show you care about the planet and the people who live on it. How you express that may look different for you. Climate activism isn't just volunteering for environmental programs or recycling- there are so many areas of your life you can make more sustainable. Here is a list of tips to help you out:
USE THOSE FOOD LEFTOVERS:
in 2019, the EPA estimated that in the Unites States, 96% of food waste was not composted but instead went to landfills, down the sewage drain, or to combustion facilities. Your leftovers don't have to have such an environmentally destructive fate. There are many ways to use that food. For example, vegetable scraps like onion and leek ends, carrot strips, can be collected and stored in the freezer. You can take out the bag, defrost, simmer it in the pot for two hours and presto- you have vegetable stock. If you want to puree those vegetables into chicken broth, you can use it to make a soup. Another practical use of leftovers is using them to create meals like frittata, omelettes, or burritos.
SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES:
Participating in environmental initiatives is a hands-on way to address climate change while also connecting with a community of people who care about the same causes you do. Some examples of initiatives:
One Tree Planted
This non profit relies on donations from its supporters so they can protect habitats and restore ecosystems and forests.
Plant With Purpose
This initiative mobilize communities and teaches them reforestation techniques such as cultivating seedlings and knowing which spots are the most fruitful to plant a tree.
Victoria Falls Wildlife
In Africa, this conservation program allows people from all over the world to participate in the conservation and upkeep of game reserve.
From water pollution reduction, and air quality to helping donate to research organization dedicating to finding planet friendly alternatives to electricity- there are so many programs you can look into.
UPCYCLE YOUR BEAUTY CONTAINERS:
Those emptied out makeup products you own don't have to go to the trash. In fact, in some cases those materials may not be recyclable at all. A good way to keep non-biodegradable material out of landfills and our oceans is upcycling your old beauty containers. Used makeup palettes can be used as compact mirrors, emptied glass bottles can be used to house flowers, empty lipstick bullets to hold bobby pins and other tiny jewelry and empty containers can be refilled with your favorite products to take with you on your travels. There are also beauty brands that have recycling programs like Lush, Illia, Nordstrom, and Kiehls.
USE BIODEGRADABLE BEAUTY TOOLS:
What are your beauty tools made of? Materials can be made with natural and synthetically manufactured ingredients. However, not all natural ingredients are better for the environment. It might surprise you to know that biodegradability is based on chemical structure, so an ingredient that is organic can still have toxic potential. Checking the (INCI) will help you decode the ingredients in your cosmetics.
SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING:
Paper and cardboard aren't only affordable they are also prioritized for their recyclability rate and their ability to reduce packaging waste. Glass is also reusable and recyclable. The manufacturing of glass involves high temperature- used glass requires lower temperatures and therefore less energy. Other examples of sustainable cosmetic packaging include aluminum (of which has a high recycling rate) and bioplastics (derivative of material like corn starch, algae, or sugar cane) which are considered a more ecofriendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics.
INVEST IN REEF-SAFE SUNSCREEN:
Though it is not always labelled, you can discern which sunscreens are reef friendly by looking for UVA and UVB filters like the ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These ingredients shield your skin from absorbing harmful UV rays that can emit heat from the skin. Making sure you choose a sunscreen that doesn't contain nano particles is also important.
REPLACE YOUR PLASTIC CLING WRAP:
Plastic cling wrap contains PVC and takes hundreds of years to decompose. The chemicals in plastic wrap can seep into groundwater and our oceans. Instead of cling film, invest in using cloth wrap or beeswax wrap which has a less disastrous environmental impact.
BUY IN BULK:
When you go shopping and make bulk purchases like grains, rice, nuts and other snacks, you may use paper bags or even bring your own containers to reduce packaging waste. The philosophy of Bulk Buying is all about quality AND quantity. When you bulk buy, you are reducing plastic pollution and also reducing the amount of trips by transportation to purchase those goods cutting down on CO2 emissions.
SAY NO TO MICROBEADS:
When you hear microbeads, you might think of face scrubs and body wash. These plastic particles can be found in many cosmetic products. Microbeads are used as an exfoliant or as an emulsifying agent to prevent the separation of liquid elements. They unfortunately pose a risk to your health and are toxic for the environment. If you want a natural exfoliant with rejuvenating qualities, try less abrasive alternatives like coffee grounds, sugar, bamboo powder, pumice powder, jojoba beads, and salt.
ADVOCATE FOR POLICY CHANGE:
Change starts with you- your voice and actions are immeasurably more important than you could possibly imagine. Supporting policies and legislation that target plastic pollution and other environmental concerns, and pushing for the implementation of plastic recycling programs in your city or state can influence even bigger change.
Earth Day helps us highlight how all of us are interconnected. Our actions don't exist in a vacuum- they shape our past, our present, our future- and our environment. Make your choices with mindfulness and intent.
Images: Pinterest
Sources: National News, Recology, EarthDay.org